Fire-escape



(No Modei.) s sheetssheet 1.

G. A. LUCE'.

FIRE BSGAPE.

`1\T0.Ll00,779.l PatentedApr. `2, 1.889.

Figi.

E .C U, L A. C.

umm..

FIRE ESCAPE.

INVENTUR. ff

WITTES-:ps:

N. Pzcna Pmmmhngnpner, washing nc.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

C. A. LUCE.

FIRE ESCAPE. y No. 400,779. Patented Apr. 2, 1889.

WVZNSQES f l l INVENTDR.

u. PETERS. Phowumognpnef. washing uic.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. LUCE, OF MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,779, dated April 2, 1889.

Application filed April 30, 1888- Serial No. 272,246. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. LUCE, of Manchester, in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire- Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to certain new and useful improvements in fire-escapes, having for its object the provision of anew and improved highly-efcient device of this class, that is designed to be secured to the front of A a building as a permanent fixture or part thereof, and one that will not be unsightlyT in p appearance.

I am also enabled by my invention to carry firemen or hose, or firemen with hose, to windows or parts of a building that could not be reached by a ladder, or by a ladder reached as readily as by my invention.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, forming a part of this specification, of which drawings--v Figure I represents the side or end of a buildinghaving a part of my invention affixed to the building as a permanent part thereof. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the manner of applying and using the escape proper. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of that portion of the invention that is adapted to be applied to a building as a permanent part thereof. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the manner of applying and using the escape proper.

The same letters of reference designate the same parts in all of the views.

In the drawings, let a designate the side or end of a building to which it is desired to apply my improved fire-escape. To the wall or other-secure and substantial part of the building, and at apoint near the roof, or the highest point that it is desired to reach by the escape, I secure any suitable bearing for `the journals of sheaves or pulleys b. In the present example I have shown the supports for the sheaves or pulleys b as consisting of abaseplate, c, provided with the j ournal-bearing d, and housing-plate c, provided with the journal-bearingf, the base-plate c being secured to the sides or walls of the building a by means of bolts g. At a point below the pulleys b, and preferably near the ground or side-v walk, I secure suitable supports for pulleys or sheaves 7L, preferably swiveling said pulley-support, so that the pulley may be turned to any desired position. I have herein shown a base-platen', as secured to the building a. by means of bolts j, upon which base-plate t' the pulley-support lo is swiveled, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. Over pulleys or sheaves b and h, I pass an endless chain or rope, Z, provided with hooks m, adapted to receive loops formed in or rings attached to the ends of a rope, chain, or cable, n, so that one end of said rope n may be carried up over one pulley b and down about and under its associate pulley It, 4and the other end of4 said rope is carried up over the other pulley h and down and about its associate pulley` .71. The rope or chain n is provided at a central point E1-ith an escape car or vehicle, o, which may be of any suitable form and composed of any suitable material. With this construction and arrangement of means it will be seen that by drawing on the ends of the rope or chain n the portion of thc latter intermediate of the sheaves or pulleys h, and to which the escapecar o is attached, may be drawn up to any point on u1@ side of me building, SQ/ to carry the escape-car to any window or other point where imperiled persons may be, or to which it is desired to carry a reman, hose, ladder, or any other person or thing, as clearly indicated by full and dotted lines in Fig. 2.

" A cord or chain, p, may be attached to the car o, to enable it to be controlled by a person on the sidewalk or ground, in order to prevent said car from catching upon window casings or trimmings, or other projections from the building.

Swiveling the supports for the lower pulleys upon their fixed supports enables persons on the ground drawing on the ends of rope n to move out on aline parallel with the face or side of the building, or at right angles thereto, as may be most convenient or safest.

If fibrous material is used for the ropes and car of the apparatus, it is designed that they shall be so treated as to render them practically fire-proof. In most instances it may be preferable to have the parts constituting a IOO permanent fixture to the building composed ot' met-al.

\Vith this exceedingly simple contrivance it will be seen that an entirely eiicient fireescape is provided, and one thatmaybe readily operated by persons on the ground or sidewalk to rescue panic-stricken and imperiled persons in the burning building who may have so far lost their presence of mind as not to be able to manipulate other means of escape that may be within their reach.

It is designed that an escape-car, o, and rope n may be placed in possession of thc fire-department, the janitor of the building, or other persons who can readily be called in case of emergency.

Itis to be observed that the parts of the device that are to constitute permanent fixtures to the building are not of an unsightly character, that they are readily attached, and that the whole is exceedingly economic of construction and application and easy of use.

As many pulleys I) 7i and ropes or chains Z maybe employed as maybe thought necessary or desirable.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the form and arrangement of parts constituting my improve ments without departing' from the nature or spirit of the invention.

That I claim isl. As an improvement in fire-escapes, the upper and lower sheaves and pulleys attached ""W'To the front wall of a building. the two end less ropes or chains passcdeach around an upper and lower pulley, and the car or vehicle having chains or cables designed to be connected to said endless ropes or chains at their outer ends, substantially as described, whereby said car or vehicle can be raised or moved to the desired point between said endless ropes or chains, as stated.

2. A building havingits outer wallprovided with a sheave or pulley at or near the rooil or top and a similar sheave or pulley at or near the ground, and an endless rope or chain passing over said pulleys, the bearing for the lower pulley being swivcled in 'its support, as set forth.

3. The herein-described improvement in {ire-escapes, consisting of the upper and lower sheaves and pulleys attached to the outer wallA of a building near the ends thereof, the endless ropes or chains passed over the rcspective upper and lower pulleys and having hooks or attaching devices, the car or vehicle,

and the chains or cables secured thereto and designed to be connected at their outer ends to said hooks or attaching devices, snbstantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed. my name to this specication, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 25th day of April, A. l). 1838.

CHARLES A. LUCE.

lVitnesses:

.Latins 1%. STRAW, ARTHUR ll'. HALE.. 

